29/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution adopted on 11 May 2007, associations representing dental practitioners at the Council of European Dentists expressed their regret at the appeals launched by the European Parliament in May 2006 to restrict the use of dental amalgams in dental care. The appeal from Parliament was motivated by potential risks linked to the presence of mercury (around 50%) in this compound containing several metal powders. Dentists pointed out that the “effectiveness and safety of the dental amalgams in filling dental cavities is demonstrated by sustainable use”. They highlighted that “research over several decades has never revealed significant health risks linked to dental amalgams”. Use of “amalgam separators”, according to these dental representatives, will effectively reduce the dispersion of environmentally harmful waste. (oj)